Chengyi Hou

About

Chengyi Hou is a pioneering researcher in the field of smart materials and soft robotics, with a focus on graphene-based actuators, artificial muscles, and wearable electronics. His most significant contribution is the development of origami-inspired active graphene paper, which enables programmable self-folding walking devices—a breakthrough that has garnered 357 citations. Hou also created a strong, stretchable self-healing film with self-activated pressure sensitivity for artificial skin applications (131 citations) and MXene-coated pressure-sensing fabric for smart wearables (173 citations). His work on self-powered interactive fiber electronics with visual-digital synergies (125 citations) and multi-responsive water-driven actuators (103 citations) further demonstrates his impact, with total citations exceeding 1,000. Notably, Hou has advanced low-voltage-driven insect-scale robots using opto-mechanical nano-muscle fibers and air-working electrochromic artificial muscles, pushing the boundaries of biomimetic robotics. His innovations in ultra-stretchable organohydrogels and carbon-based thin-film actuators for smart clothing highlight his versatility. Hou’s research is highly cited and influential, offering practical solutions for next-generation robotics, healthcare, and human-machine interfaces.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Origami-inspired active graphene-based paper for programmable instant self-folding walking devices

   357 citations · 2015
2. 2
   MXene-Coated Air-Permeable Pressure-Sensing Fabric for Smart Wear

   173 citations · 2020
3. 3
   A strong and stretchable self-healing film with self-activated pressure sensitivity for potential artificial skin applications

   131 citations · 2013
4. 4
   Self‐Powered Interactive Fiber Electronics with Visual–Digital Synergies

   125 citations · 2021
5. 5
   A multi-responsive water-driven actuator with instant and powerful performance for versatile applications

   103 citations · 2015
6. 6
   Air‐Working Electrochromic Artificial Muscles

   42 citations · 2023
7. 7
   Ultra-stretchable, self-adhesive, transparent, and ionic conductive organohydrogel for flexible sensor

   32 citations · 2021
8. 8
   Light-driven artificial muscles based on electrospun microfiber yarns

   13 citations · 2019
9. 9
   Carbon-based thin-film actuator with 1D to 2D transitional structure applied in smart clothing

   10 citations · 2020
10. 10
    Low-voltage-driven, insect-scale robots built with opto-mechanical nano-muscle fibers

    5 citations · 2024

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links